Association between the number of sexual partners and alcohol consumption among schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE To determine the association between the number of sexual partners and alcohol consumption in adolescents and young schoolchildren. METHODS The sample consisted of students from public schools aged 12-24 years who answered the Brazilian version of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire. The analysis was performed by multinomial logistic regression model. RESULTS 1275 students were analyzed. For females, having two to five partners was associated with age ≥15 years (OR 14.58) and maternal education up to incomplete high school or lower educational level (OR 3.37). No consumption of alcohol decreased the chances of having more partners by 96%. For males, the associated variables were: age ≥15 years (OR 18.15); having no religion (OR 3.55); age at first dose ≤14 years (OR 3.48). Binge drinking increases the chances of having a higher number of sexual partners. CONCLUSION Regardless of the number of partners, binge drinking and age of alcohol consumption onset are risk factors for vulnerable sexual behavior.